Tepoztlan-Day two CARNIVAL!!!

SO think Mardi Gras...turns out we headed to Tepoztlan, site not only of the magical pyramid, but also of the great "Carnival" celebration before Lent the day of the celebration--I call that great timing! First stop--hike into town, threw the Carnival set up, and to the base of the mountain we would hike...pay for our toilet paper so we could take a bathroom break (I kid you not, 5 pesos), and then head up the mountain...all but 5 girls chose to climb (so they headed into the town early to scout the shopping with Ms Jessica) and the restof us headed up the mountain with Shelley taking lead. We had thought that we would spread the rest of adults out throughout the kids and then peel off adults at the back as the kids decided to turn back as we climbed (it is a very steep climb one vertical mile to the pyramid) but....seems all us adults fell to the rear...hmmm...funny that...and the girls all beat us up to the top with EVERY GIRL making it to the pyramid!
Near the top and at the pyramid we were greeted by these assertive little fellows (coatis -tejon in Spanish) who were brought there to eat garbage! The pyramid is said to have magical healing powers which is why folks like Ringo Starr and others were frequent visitors (and was very good news to many of the chaperones' knees). On our hike down, we suffered two small casualities--both Ilana and Zoe twisted ankles, but by days' end, both were still up and walking (although sore...). We will continue to only have kids get wounds whose parents are with us...(jk...we are trying to not have any of the kids get hurt!)
Following our descent (which was quite slow as the mountain was getting quite crowded) we headed into the town for some shopping. It amazed us how crowded the town was with all shops open and street food on each side. The girls bought some gifts, some tried some food, bought plenty to drink and marveled at some of the foods and drinks they could not even identify! We made our way to the bus (parked outside of town) by 3 pm and then as we headed out of town could not believe the miles of traffic still headed into Tepoztlan for the evening celebration which included fireworks, dancing, and a huge party.
We each departed for our host families for "comida" and then had evenings on our own to do as we wished. Several groups headed back to the Zo'calo (the square) for some evening shopping and walking about. Others relaxed in their homes.

This morning the girls are having a long Spanish class in preparation for heading to the mercado (the market--think Travel Channel style) to buy ingredients to make our comida here with our cooking teacher Marusa. The girls will be in charge of buying all of the food at the market--so wish us luck! The girls will also come home knowing how to make this meal--so feel free to ask them to make it at home for you once we return. We will also have time in the market to go shopping for ourselves following the purchase of our foods (we will hand those off to the teachers them get some time in our groups) and I am sure our girls will take advantage of wonderful artisan offerings (there is so much there it is honestly overwhelming!)
This evening we will return to our host families again and relax. There will be time for girls to to head to an internet cafe with their chaperones if they like, go swimming at one another's homes, or just visit each other as many have asked to do. Their host homes vary greatly, but the girls are getting wonderful experiences. The food the host families make may seem different and unfamiliar--for some it is very authentic Mexican, for others, very family style home cooking. Some girls are loving it, others now appreciate your cooking much more. None of it is like Taco Bell. The girls are developing perspective on what they have at home vs. what others have or dont have here. They are learning many things, some in the classroom, and many things simply through observation. You would be immensely proud of them.